Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift – Complete Guide to Universal Hollywood's New Coaster

Universal Studios Hollywood is preparing for a historic transformation. Long perceived as a "cinema" park before being an "attraction" park, the Californian site sorely lacked a centerpiece for pure thrill-seekers. With the construction of Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, the message is clear: Universal wants to establish itself in the field of the world's greatest roller coasters.

At Park Trips, we analyzed every construction permit and every test video to bring you this comprehensive report on what will be, starting in 2026, the most spectacular attraction in Los Angeles.

A Colossal Engineering Challenge on the Hollywood Hillside

Universal Hollywood's topography is unique in the world, and it is also its greatest challenge. The park is split into two sections (Upper and Lower Lot) separated by a steep cliff.

The Brilliant Use of Natural Terrain

The Hollywood Drift layout doesn't just occupy flat land. The station is located in the former Special Effects Show area (Upper Lot). From there, the coaster will literally "plunge" toward the lower section of the park. This natural elevation change allows for incredible kinetic energy gain without the need for massive support structures that would spoil the scenery. The tracks will wind along the hillside, passing just above the famous Starway escalators. Seeing the train "drift" above visitors changing levels will become the park's iconic image.

The Challenge of Silence: An Acoustic Feat

This is the point that long blocked the construction of an outdoor coaster here. The park is surrounded by active filming studios (where silence is golden) and prestigious residential areas. To get the green light, Universal and manufacturer Intamin had to innovate:

Acoustic Rails: The rails are not hollow; they are filled with special sand that absorbs vibrations and the metallic "roar" of the passing train.

High-tech Noise Barriers: Transparent acoustic screens have been installed on the highest sections to contain passenger screams without obstructing the stunning view of the San Fernando Valley.

Deciphering Intamin's "Drift" Technology

If you have seen the test videos and find the movement "strange" or slow, it's because Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift uses controlled-rotation Spinning Coaster technology.

Programmed Rotation: The Secret of the Skid

Unlike a coaster where the cars spin freely based on passenger weight, here, every rotation is calculated and managed by a computer.

The Concept: At specific moments during the ride (especially in hairpin turns or sharp changes in direction), the car pivots laterally so that you face the outside of the curve.

The Drift Effect: It is this desynchronization between the rail direction and the orientation of your seat that perfectly recreates the feeling of drifting and loss of grip seen in the film saga. You won't just endure the turn; you will mentally "pilot" it.

Why Do the Current Tests Seem Slow?

Don't rely on the first images! During the testing phase ("clearance"), engineers run the trains at 40 or 50% capacity. The current goal is to calibrate the position sensors and synchronize the rotation of the cars with the passage over the launch magnets (LSM). Ultimately, the coaster will reach 116 km/h, officially surpassing Orlando's famous VelociCoaster.

An Immersive Experience (Goodbye Screens!)

The biggest criticism leveled at the current Fast & Furious: Supercharged (in the Studio Tour) is its massive use of screens. For this new project, Universal is radically changing gears:

The Return to Reality: No more simulators; this is about real G-force and speed.

"Garage" Theming: The queue line will be a tribute to the car culture of the early films: red bricks, massive mechanical parts, and iconic cars from the franchise.

The Park's First Inverting Coaster: For the first time in its history, Universal Hollywood will offer an outdoor coaster with multiple inversions, including a "Dive Loop" that is already shaping up to be legendary.

Onboard Audio System: Every seat is equipped with high-fidelity speakers. The music will build in intensity along with the speed, creating a bubble of pure adrenaline.

Prepare Your Event with Friends Using Ketchup

A project of this magnitude shouldn't be experienced alone. Between the opening of Super Nintendo World and the arrival of this technological monster in 2026, Universal Studios Hollywood has become the ultimate destination for a group trip.

To organize this experience and coordinate your crew, the Ketchup app will be your best ally. It is the perfect tool for creating an event dedicated to this trip, centralizing everyone's desires, and ensuring you are all together at the starting line for the day's first launch!

See You in Summer 2026 at Universal Studios Hollywood

Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift is much more than just a new attraction; it is a declaration of love to thrill-seekers. Between Intamin's cutting-edge technology, the record speed of 116 km/h, and the mythical setting of the Hollywood Hills, we have a serious contender for the title of best coaster in the world.

We continue to follow every construction step for you on parktrips.fr. And you, which car from the saga do you hope to see in the queue line?